Rajprashniya Sutra - Book Summary

The provided text is an excerpt from the Rājapraśniya Sūtra, one of the secondary Upanga texts of the Jain Canon, as indicated by its title and the introductory remarks. The text is presented in Prakrit (a dialect related to Sanskrit) and is accompanied by a commentary in Sanskrit. The author, N. V. Vaidya, has edited and translated this text, providing an introduction and notes.

The excerpt focuses on describing the magnificence of the city of Amalakalpā and its surroundings, setting the scene for a significant event involving the arrival of the Tirthankara Lord Mahāvīra. It also details the celestial realm and the god Sūryābha and his Vimāna (celestial abode).

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key elements and events described in the provided text:

1. Setting the Scene:

Amalakalpā City: The text begins by describing the city of Amalakalpā as prosperous, peaceful, flourishing, palatial, beautiful, and worth seeing. Its beauty is elaborated with details about its streets, public places, gardens, wealth, security, and the general well-being and happiness of its citizens.
Amraśālavana Sanctuary: Outside the city, in the north-eastern direction, lies the ancient and beautiful sanctuary known as Amraśālavana.

2. The Aśoka Tree and the Altar:

The text mentions an excellent Aśoka tree and an earthen altar (or stone slab) within the Amraśālavana sanctuary. It directs the reader to the Aupapātika Sūtra for a detailed description of these, indicating that the Rājapraśniya Sūtra builds upon or refers to other important Jain texts.

3. The Arrival of Lord Mahāvīra:

The narrative indicates that Lord Mahāvīra (referred to as Śramaṇa Bhagavān Mahāvīra) arrived and was present in the Amraśālavana sanctuary, seated on the earthen altar, exercising self-control and penance.

4. The God Sūryābha and His Vimāna:

Sūryābha's Realm: The text vividly describes the celestial realm of Sūryābha, a god residing in the Saudharma Kalpa, in his magnificent Suryābha Vimāna. This Vimāna is depicted as a vast, golden structure, adorned with countless jewels, precious stones, divine music, dancing celestial nymphs, and attended by thousands of gods and queens.
Sūryābha's Appearance and Wealth: Sūryābha is described as a god of immense grandeur, possessing extraordinary divine glory, lustre, power, and wealth. His Vimāna is vast, stretching for many thousands of yojanas, and is meticulously decorated with precious materials like gold, silver, diamonds, and various other gems. The description of the ramparts, gates, arches, staircases, audience halls, thrones, and ornamental elements is highly detailed, emphasizing celestial opulence.
Sūryābha's Observation: While enjoying his celestial pleasures, Sūryābha, using his divine sight (Avadhi knowledge), observes the earthly realm and specifically sees Lord Mahāvīra.

5. Sūryābha's Devotion and Actions:

Encounter with Mahāvīra: Upon seeing Lord Mahāvīra, Sūryābha is overwhelmed with joy and devotion. He immediately gets up from his throne, descends, and approaches Mahāvīra with immense respect, performing traditional obeisances.
Seeking Guidance: Sūryābha asks Lord Mahāvīra crucial questions about his spiritual destiny – whether he is destined for salvation, his current spiritual state (right or false faith), the duration of his worldly existence, the ease or difficulty of attaining enlightenment, and whether he is propitiating or destroying the right path. Lord Mahāvīra assures him of his fortunate spiritual state.
Display of Divine Arts: Impressed and wanting to show his devotion, Sūryābha decides to display his divine powers and celestial arts. He asks his attendant gods (Abhiyogikas) to create a magnificent divine aerial car, ready for flight.
The Aerial Car: The description of the aerial car is extensive, highlighting its construction from precious metals and jewels, its intricate designs featuring mythical creatures and celestial beings, its dazzling lights, and its ability to travel at incredible speeds.
The Dance Performance: Sūryābha then instructs his attendant gods to prepare a grand performance of thirty-two types of divine dances, accompanied by music and singing. The text meticulously lists these dances, categorized by their movements, themes (like historical events, celestial bodies, mythical creatures, letters of the alphabet, flora), and the musical instruments used. The descriptions emphasize the sheer beauty, grace, and divine nature of these performances.
Worship of Mahāvīra: After the performance, Sūryābha, along with his retinue, circumambulates Lord Mahāvīra, bows down to him, and offers his worship. He cleans the surroundings, offers fragrant water, sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, and other auspicious items, showing profound reverence.
Mahāvīra's Silence: Notably, Lord Mahāvīra remains silent and does not respond to Sūryābha's repeated requests to acknowledge his display. This implies a higher spiritual detachment or a different focus for the Tirthankara.
Sūryābha's Departure: After performing his worship and receiving assurance of his spiritual destiny, Sūryābha withdraws his divine powers, leaves the vicinity, and returns to his Vimāna.

6. Sūryābha's Continued Devotion:

Even after returning to his Vimāna, Sūryābha's devotion to Mahāvīra continues. He instructs his attendant gods to meticulously clean and beautify his Vimāna and its surroundings, as a preparation for Mahāvīra's potential visit. He also prepares the various assemblies (Upapāta Sabhā, Abhiṣeka Sabhā, Alaṅkārika Sabhā, Vyavasāya Sabhā) and arranges for the worship of the Jina images within the Siddhayatana (a sacred shrine).
The Library (Pustakarāttna): A significant detail is the creation of a Pustakarāttna (jewel book or library), containing divine texts and possibly historical accounts, which is also prepared for Mahāvīra's potential visit.
The Grand Ceremony: The text culminates in the elaborate Abhiṣeka (consecration) ceremony of Sūryābha, performed by his retinue using countless divine vessels filled with pure water, fragrant substances, and precious offerings. The entire celestial court participates in this grand event, reinforcing the theme of divine appreciation for spiritual excellence.

Overall Theme: The Rājapraśniya Sūtra, through this narrative, highlights the reverence due to Tirthankaras, the nature of celestial beings, their understanding of spiritual matters, and the elaborate rituals and displays of devotion they perform. It also emphasizes the importance of purity, beauty, and order in the practice of religious duties. The detailed descriptions serve to illustrate the grandeur of the Jain cosmology and the profound respect shown to spiritual leaders. The text seems to explore the interaction between the celestial and the terrestrial, the divine and the human (in the form of Mahāvīra), showcasing the impact of spiritual purity on even the most powerful beings in the universe.